Page 107 of My Best Bet

My eyebrows slammed down. “But it’s me. She’ll want to talk to me, Mom. Give her the phone.”

Silence stretched over the line and my anxiety ratcheted up.

“Did you two have a fight?” she asked quietly.

“I mean, yeah, but that…” I rubbed my forehead. “That doesn't matter. None of that matters.” We were bigger than that. This was bigger. I needed to be there for her.

“I think she just needs some time, alright? She’s understandably really devastated right now.”

“Mom, what are you saying?” I growled. “Just give her the fucking phone.”

“She’s struggling to keep her head above the water, she needs to focus on herself right now, alright?”

“Give her the fucking phone, Mom,” I demanded.

A second later, her crying filled the line. I was sure I'd never be able to get the sound out of my head for as long as I lived.

“No, go away! I don’t want him here,” she cried. “Please! Please listen to me!” The desperation in her voice was heartbreaking.

And she was talking about…me?

It didn’t make sense.

She sounded desperate, hysterical even, as she pleaded to be left alone.

No words left my mouth.

My whole world just got rocked upside down.

“She just needs time, she’s not even lucid right now, honey. The surgery went well and they’re keeping her comfortable.”

“Uh…” I held my jaw, because if I didn't, I’d cry. For her. For me.

If this was switched around, and I was the one who’s dreams were just crushed and I was laying there in pain, all I'd want, the only person I'd want near me… would be her.

How was it not the same for her?

“Honey, are you alright?”

Were we actually broken up? Was that fight the end of us? How could that just be it? She knew I was coming back to her. She was angry, but… I thought… I thought she’d understand it was because I loved her.

I looked around the hotel room, at a loss for words.

What was the point of any of this if it wasn’t for us? I didn’t know how to function without the dreams we built together.

I tuned out my mother’s voice as she told me to focus on myself and gave me input about my game.

A knock sounded on my door and I gave my mom a lame excuse to hang up.

Kappy stood there, car keys in hand. “Airport?” Taking in my face, his body sagged. “What? What happened?”

I shook my head, not even knowing what to say.

This had to be just a bump in the road for us. Mer was in shock or something. There’s no way we were over.

“Is it my fault?” he whispered, anxiety etched on his face. “I’ll call her. I’ll call her right now. It’s my fault. I made you stay.Look at your black eye for God’s sake.” His hands went to his hair. “I’m so sorry, dude.”

“No,” I choked out.

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